Like Sandpaper
At my workplace there is not much opportunity to be different. We administer care to others and, in the process, sometimes we forget to care for ourselves and each other. So, I print inspirational messages, happy pictures, quotes, etc, and post them on a blank space I've found in one of our utility rooms. I also print stories from this site, and some others I subscribe to, and leave them in the staff room. I believe it adds to our "emotional education." One person asked me, "Why do you do this? Why do you try to help these people, they are not very nice?" My response was, "If it affects one person then it's a good thing." Often that one person is me, because I know I have done a kind thing, a good thing. It doesn't matter if it doesn't affect anyone else. What matters is that I'm the best person I can ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by GypsyNurse
- Feb 9, 2014
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A Math Life Lesson
I spent some time after class with two of my math students.
They wanted to make sure they understood what we had been working on in pre-algebra. It only took a few minutes for them to realize they both knew what to do - but had to trust in themselves.
Even better than helping them discovering what they could achieve in math, was watching them grow in self-confidence.
- Posted by christopher.star
- Feb 8, 2014
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Kindness Wheel
I received the deck of Kindness Cards about 2 months ago. Since then it has been a blessing, it is like a grand parent at home reminding me to do at least one act of kindness daily. Call somebody and ask them how they are doing, give the post man a few fruits, At the Aldi grocery store pay the Quarter for the Shopping cart for someone, pick up the recycling papers while on a walk, be kind to the students, the list goes on. Thank you all for the wonderful positive peer pressure. And, now this 21 Day Kindness Challenge, this is great!
- Posted by boptop
- Feb 7, 2014
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It Went Where It Was Needed - I Hope
One of my classmates is going through a really hard time, both emotionally and financially. So, I went out and bought a $40 gift card from Target so she could buy herself something.
I placed it in her mailbox but - I think I put it in her neighbours box by mistake! And, because it is anonymous, I can't ask her whether she got it or not.
Oh, well. Someone benefited from it!
I do, though, offer her my undivided attention and listen when she needs to talk about her problems, so I guess that helps. Sometimes all we need is a place where we feel as though we are being heard. I know, for me, just to verbalize what is inside you sometimes is enough.
- Posted by veggie_tables
- Feb 7, 2014
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Marine Moms
Don't you love when you get to special things for special people?
My son graduates from Marine Combat Training soon. Some of the parents can't get to the ceremony, so I am making goodie bags for four of the boys (whose parents can't attend,) each with a card inside it from their mom.
So exciting!
- Posted by flossiemarie
- Feb 7, 2014
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Dubai Market
A few of us friends got together for a random acts of kindness event at a flea market in Dubai.
We collected items from our homes, our neighbors, and our friends, which could make good gifts. Then we put up a bright and chirpy stall at the market, put all our gifts on display, and took a lot of people by surprise!
We had a gratitude board too, where people pinned up their answers to the question, "What are you grateful for?"
And we had a basket full of kindness ideas for people to pick up and, hopefully, put into practice!
It was a beautiful, beautiful day!
- Posted by ChandniS
- Feb 7, 2014
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First Two Days On KindSpring
Can I start with yesterday? I was out and about yesterday. I did my usual picking up of trash and I complimented the shift-manager at Wal-Mart on the positive changes I saw around the store after a talk we had about trash inside and outside the store. I listened to a clerk at Dollar Tree as she told me about some family problems. Then I gave her a hug! I gave my contact info to a clerk at Trader Joe's. I told him I knit and crochet. So, he's going to keep an eye out at his daughter's school for kids who need gloves, hats, or mufflers. He promised to let me know which items are needed. I will make them and he will deliver them! Then, I let two folks with fewer groceries than me cut ahead of me at check-out. I bought some greeting cards for vets at the VA Hospital hospice unit ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by jomartin87112
- Feb 6, 2014
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Gym Break
I complimented a woman at the gym who was very intently going about her exercise.
She then paused and told me it was the first time she had been to the gym in about a month as her mother is dying in hospital.
I opened my heart to listen to how stressful that was for her, emotionally and physically. I let her unload her worries and reminded her to be gentle to herself and that, as a mother and a daughter, she was doing the best she could on all sides.
It warmed me to see her exhale and smile at the end, knowing that those few moments of contact may have helped her, even a little.
- Posted by xenahugs
- Feb 6, 2014
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My New Friend
I saw a very tiny frail, (about 60 lbs) old lady coming from the grocery store as I was walking towards it. She was tiny, under 5ft, about 60 lbs, pushing her little wire basket. It was about 85-90 degrees and she was not walking well . I was afraid I might scare her... but this pledge inspired me to have courage & offer her a ride. "Oh yes, that would be nice". On the way to her house, I found out she has no family, & was recently out of a nursing home due to a hip surgery. so now we're friends & I will visit & take to do her shopping on Wednesdays. So the friendship begins!
- Posted by tiner.designs
- Feb 5, 2014
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Can You Afford It?
I was having breakfast in a nice cafe in London last Saturday when a skinny young guy approached me asking if I had any spare spare change I could give him.
Thinking I would go one better I offered to buy him breakfast. His reaction really surprised me.
He asked, "Can you afford it?"
Well ... yes, I could. So, I did. Gratefully!
- Posted by Stefazza
- Feb 5, 2014
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Carrying A Child To The Right School
As I neared the end of my morning run a woman with two young children (maybe around three and seven years old) asked for directions to a school nearly a mile away.
When I discovered she was on foot and late for the start of school I offered to carry the older child while she carried the younger in order to make better time. She gladly accepted.
As we talked she told me her name was Rose. She was born in Haiti and has been in America for six years. Taking her niece to school that morning, Rose had been informed that the girl was actually enrolled in a different school.
I told her my wife used to work in Haiti, where she learned to speak Creole.
When I left them at their destination, Rose said "God bless you." I said the same in return, and was glad to be able to add, "Au revoir et bonne chance."
- Posted by fsmall52
- Feb 4, 2014
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Kindness Contest Bears Fruit For All
When I was little I wondered why neighborhoods didn’t invest in edible landscaping to build community, promote health, and promote collaboration. As adults, my husband and I decided the right way to answer this question was to do it ourselves, so we transformed our front yard with edibles, adding blueberries, strawberries, limes, pomegranates, and oranges. Every crop brought us closer to neighbors and strangers. The food was an excuse to commune. Kids in the neighborhood (including our sons) learned patience and gentle timing. When we had extra, we'd share it. Then, we received a powerful lesson; a gift hidden as a loss. Our first-ever crop of pomegranates had ripened. But at harvest, they were all gone, stolen in the middle of the night. We were shocked, sad and angry. Friends had fun suggesting deterrents. One even suggested we post a sign to curse thieves who stole our fruit. And suddenly, the lesson ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by amyjasongreen
- Feb 3, 2014
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Silencio!
The elderly Peruvian lady across the hall from me does not speak English. When her smoke detector started beeping and announcing "Battery low, please replace.", she did not understand and was frightened. I disconnected it but could not stop the annoying noise. After asking around other neighbors if anyone had the right battery, with no results, I got dressed, caught the bus and went to the store for another battery. Got the battery in and stopped the beeping and -- "Silencio!"
- Posted by annefitzg
- Feb 3, 2014
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Taking Time To Listen Can Be A Kindness...
I spent extra time this morning listening to a coworker's concern about her health and encouraging her. After receiving so much support during the recent illness and death of my father, it is time to not only give back, but pay forward as well.
- Posted by dchender
- Feb 2, 2014
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3,762 Miles Walked And 100 Tons Of Trash
On an unassuming weekday evening, Jane was at home… as usual. As her thoughts swung between what she was going to do with her life and their dinner plans for the evening, she was unexpectedly interrupted by an urgent call from her sister “get over here! Turn on NBC and check these guys out, they are just like you…” One facebook message and a phone interview later, Jane found herself on a bus with 8 strangers in the middle of the sweltering desert heat of Utah, picking up trash and raising awareness about zero-waste and climate change. Armed with a deep love of the environment and a desire to make a difference, Jane, Davey, and a group of self described “environmental pick-up artists” went on a coast to coast road side trash pick-up. As they walked, sometimes only covering 0.9 miles in an entire day, they slowly and steadily made their ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by fern514
- Feb 1, 2014
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A Little Library...
I started a small neighborhood book exchange. My husband put the shelves together for me and we supplied the "seed" books to get things rolling. I also designed and printed free bookmarks for patrons to take with them. My hope is that people will choose a book, enjoy it and return it for another...along with contributing a few books of their own to share with their neighbors and friends.
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- Posted by kaya63
- Feb 1, 2014
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Baby cicada
Preparing Kale for lunch, I saw a bit of movement off to the side. Pale green, less than a half inch long, with nearly-invisible wings having a slightly golden cast, supported on long , fragile-looking legs...a baby cicada. I put my hand on the counter, and nudged it a bit. It came up onto my finger, and was so light I could barely feel it. I took it outside and placed my hand on the grass, letting it take its time moving. Such a simple thing to do, almost nothing....but nothing else would have been possible in that moment. Each little thing is the entirety of fe in that moment.
- Posted by gstenstad
- Jan 31, 2014
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Helping out
A couple of days ago I was shopping for grocery specials at a downtown store. An elderly lady beside me in one aisle commented on what great prices they had. We spoke for a moment & she told me that she would get more but she couldn't carry anymore home. I asked her where she lived & she told me -it was a couple of streets away, so I immediately told her that I would give her a drive & to buy everything she wanted! As I was helping her get her groceries out of the back seat when we arrived at her apartment, she kept asking if I wanted anything. I laughed & said "Have a nice day" & I asked her to pass it on.
- Posted by snoozie1
- Jan 28, 2014
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Not Forgotten
Yesterday was the birthday of a college friend of mine who passed away ten years ago to liver cancer. I took a moment to write a letter to her sister reminding her that my friend was not forgotten and that she and I had enjoyed a wonderful friendship during our college years. Though her life was relatively short, I wanted her sister to know how much she had given to me and the legacy she left.
- Posted by bleibyog
- Jan 27, 2014
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Roses
Yesterday and today I cut a few roses from our bush out front; after arriving at work (I work at my church's preschool/day care) I gave random parents a beautiful red rose. Today as I pulled into the parking lot a woman from a house next to the church approached me, she asked if I could call the police and see if they would be able to help her get into her house. Her husband had left for work 3 hours earlier and had accidently locked her out. The police said they could not help her so she asked if she could call her daughter, I handed her the phone again. After talking to her daughter she said thank you and I handed her one of the roses I had cut today. She just beamed and said I made her day! It feels so good to help others!!
- Posted by wendy82298
- Jan 26, 2014
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